Nicholas Dean Lodge

When it comes to a hub from which serious Spey anglers can pursue strong, sea-bright steelhead and salmon, nearly year-round, few if any places compare to Terrace, BC. When looking for a lodge and guide team that can deliver at the highest level, both on and off the water, Nicholas Dean Lodge is equally hard to beat. Operating from late March through mid-October, their guests can target spring steelhead, summer Chinook, chum and coho salmon, and fall steelhead, depending on the dates selected.  

 Guests stay at the impressive Yellow Cedar Lodge overlooking the Skeena River. In addition to great meals and service, guests also enjoy single occupancy rooms with attached baths, a great bar, and hot tub with views of the river. Each day, groups of two anglers will set out to float or jetboat the region’s finest waters, including the Skeena, Copper, Kalum, Kitimat, as well as lesser-known systems. With an experienced and long-serving, loyal staff, Nicholas Dean offers an experience that their guests appreciate and return to year after year.  

Nicholas Dean offers its guests access to the fabled waters of the Skeena, Copper, Kalum, and Kitimat, as well as smaller, lesser-known systems when needed. Their highly qualified fly fishing guides know the Skeena, Kalum, Copper, Kitimat, and lower Skeena tributaries intimately, ensuring that you have the best chance possible at landing one of the many world-class fish that return to these rivers each year. In late April and early May, guests may be able to fish several remote coastal rivers for the ultimate in wilderness fishing. These systems have no roads and no development, only old-growth forests, pristine, gin-clear rivers, and large, wild steelhead and salmon.  

During late August and September, guests might also have the opportunity to float the Copper River for a day of great summer steelhead fishing. Guests will fish two per guide, and jetboats and rafts will be used for transportation only, with guests getting out to swing fish the prime runs.  

Guests at Nicholas Dean Lodge stay at Yellow Cedar Lodge, which is one of the nicest facilities in the steelheading world. The main lodge overlooks the Skeena River. Guests stay in very nice, single occupancy rooms with attached baths, all within the main lodge. The lodge has a large dining room, a bar, multiple sitting areas, and an outdoor hot tub. Massages are available with advance notice.  

Guests will dine in the main lodge dining room. The lodge employs Mark and Amanda Ross, both Red Seal chefs who will oversee the preparation of a wide range of delicious and thoughtfully prepared meals. Breakfasts will be of the highest quality and include buffet and made-to-order options. Lunch will be served on the water and will include sandwiches and delicious hot soups. 

Day 1: Arrive Terrace Airport (YXT) where you are met by a representative of the lodge and ground transferred 20 minutes to Yellow Cedar Lodge. 

Days 2 - 7: Full days of fishing with riverside lunch.  Return to the lodge each night for appetizers, drinks, dinner, and lodging. 

Day 8: Breakfast at lodge and transfer to Terrace Airport (YXT), for flight back to Vancouver.

2025 Rate: Per person based on double occupancy (custom packages with variable lengths of stay available) 

7 night/6 day package: $8,450.75 CADper person  

Included: BC taxes, airport pick up and drop off, all accommodations, guiding, local transportation, all meals, all flies, and if requested, rods, reels, and wading boots. 

Not Included: Airfare, gratuities, fishing licenses, purchases of a personal nature, and alcohol

Who is best suited to this destination?
This trip is best suited to anglers of any skill level who want to swing fish for fresh, anadromous fish and enjoy a high level of service and comfort. Guests will swing flies, most often with Spey rods, while wading. The spring season requires being able to fish through varying degrees of wet and/or cold weather. Chinook anglers should be prepared to throw long, heavy sink tips and heavy flies and conform to a very early wake-up schedule.

Where is the lodge?
The lodge is in the Skeena River valley, approximately five miles west of Terrace,BC, just past the confluence of the Zymicord River.

How do I get there?
To get to Nicholas Dean Lodge, guests will need to arrange flights to Terrace, BC, which will require initially flying to Vancouver, BC. The lodge asks that guests book a mid-afternoon, early-evening arrival (Air Canada 8441 is best).  A lodge representative will pick you up at the airport and transfer you 20 minutes to the lodge.

When should I go?
Nicholas Dean Lodge enjoys a long season. Late March through the end of April is spring steelhead season. June through mid-July is the time to target large chinook. Late July and early August are a great time for less experienced anglers to catch a wide range of species entering the Skeena. By mid-August, the lodge is targeting summer steelhead, and that season continues until the end of October.

How will I fish?
The majority of guests will swing flies in traditional down-and-across fashion with two-handed Spey rods. All fishing is done while wading. Sink tips are used often, and they may be very light with unweighted tube flies or quite heavy with large, heavy flies, especially during king salmon season. The lodge trailers both jet boats and rafts to various put-ins.

Is there wade fishing?
All steelhead and king fishing is done while wading, and occasionally, guests will fish for coho from boats in the fall.

Where will I fish?
Depending on the time of year and conditions, guests may fish the Skeena, Kitimat, Copper, or Kalum rivers in addition to a few lesser-known systems that shall remain nameless.

How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds?
Your guides will trailer boats to a wide range of rivers and or put-ins. The shortest drive is around 5 minutes, and the longest will be 45 – 50 minutes. Once in the boats, you will typically be getting out to fish in very little time.

What type(s) of fish will I catch?
Guests will target spring steelhead in March and April, and kings in June through
mid-July. In late July and early August, there will be kings, chum, silvers, sockeye,
and steelhead. In the fall, guests will primarily target summer steelhead, but there
can be windows to target the great northern coho salmon as well.  

How many fish will I catch?
The nature of swinging flies for any anadromous fish is that there is a lot of variation in catch rates. Catch rates vary depending on time of year, skill, and luck as well as the species being targeted. That said, we feel that guests should go into the trip with the expectation that hooking 1 – 1.5 fish per day is a great trip.

Will I see other anglers?
Yes, but the rivers are not busy by American standards, and everyone tends to be respectful in giving one another space.

What are the guides like?
The guides are full-time professional fish hunters. Many have been with the lodge for many years and enjoy helping guests improve their skills and knowledge of the area.

What are the physical demands?
While not strenuous, guests need to be able to wade all day and climb safely in and out of jet boats and rafts. The rocks on the main Skeena tend to be large and somewhat awkward. Felt soled boots are highly recommended, and anglers coming in late April and early May for spring steelhead will benefit from being able to hike 3-4 miles in rough country on some days.   

 Are there any special skills required?
The ability to cast a Spey rod with sink-tips is helpful. Guests are best served by a willingness to fish confidently for long periods between fish.

Does the lodge provide equipment?
The lodge has plenty of single hand rods as well as full Spey set ups for guests to use.  With that said, most guests elect to bring their own gear.

What is your favorite setup for the trip?
In the spring season, we recommend 7- to 8-weight Spey rods in the 12.5- to 14-foot range. Summer chinook fishing is the time to break out the big sticks. 9- to 10-weight Spey rods are the norm in lengths 13- to 15-foot. Fall steelhead fishing is the time to bring back the 7- to 8-weight rods.

What are the top flies?
Nicholas Dean Lodge relies heavily on tube flies for most of their fishing. The size, color, and weight of those tubes will vary with season and species. Pink is popular throughout their season, and black and blue is popular in the fall. Typically, these flies are unweighted or lightly weighted and 2-3 inches long. Size 1 barbless trailing hooks are popular for steelhead. Hobo Spey flies in charisse/orange, charrise/blue, and black/blue are popular year-round.

What are the options if water conditions become challenging?
While the lodge has multiple systems to choose from, some of which are very stable under heavy rains, in the event of a major blowout in the fall, some guests may be able to fish some smaller lower Skeena tributaries for northern coho.

What is a typical day like?
After an early, hot breakfast, guests will head out for the day. Packed lunches will be served streamside. Guests should plan on fishing all afternoon unless they have expressed a desire to get back a little earlier. Everyone is generally back at the lodge in time for cocktails and appetizers. Dinner is typically served around 7 PM, but the schedule shifts to early mornings and 5 PM dinners during Chinook season.

What is the general vibe, atmosphere, and style of the lodge?
The lodge is very handsome and well-built. It is spacious, well-equipped, and at the same time casual.   

Is there an on-site owner, manager, or other point-person at the lodge?
Chad Black, the general manager, typically picks guests up at the airport, gives the orientation, oversees licensing, and sets up the fishing schedule. He will also attend three or four dinners each week. Chad’s manager, Amanda Ross, is there each day, and she, along with other members of Chad’s staff and guide team, will be available to help guests with any questions or needs. The lodge is very well-staffed, and the level of service is very high.

Where do we eat, and what are the meals like?
Guests will dine in the main lodge dining room. The lodge employs Mark and Amanda Ross, both Red Seal chefs who oversee the preparation of a wide range of
delicious and thoughtfully prepared meals. Breakfasts will be of the highest quality and include buffet and made-to-order options. Lunches will be served on the water and will include sandwiches and delicious hot soups.

What is the alcohol policy?
The lodge has a full bar and liquor license. Folks can run a tab and settle at the end of the week. Folks may also bring their own alcohol, but it must remain in their rooms.

Where do we stay, and what are the accommodations like?
The Nicholas Dean Lodge is one of the nicest facilities in the steelheading world. The main lodge overlooks the Skeena River. Guests stay in very nice single occupancy rooms with attached baths, all within the main lodge. The lodge has a large dining room, a bar, multiple sitting areas, and an outdoor hot tub.  Massages are available with advance notice.

Is there internet and/or cell service?
Cell service is respectable at the lodge, especially surrounding the main lodge. Satellite Wi-Fi at the lodge is fast and reliable.

Are there other activities?
No, this lodge is focused on fishing, but the facility is comfortable enough for a non-angling companion who is happy to enjoy the facility and surrounding area.

Are there any other expenses?
On top of the package price, guests are expected to pay for alcohol, fishing licenses, gratuities and any on-site or pro shop purchases.  

Do I need a visa?
No

Are there any health concerns, dangers, or annoyances?
Rafting, jet boating, and wading all come with some risk, but they are negligible. There are black bears in the area, and the very occasional grizzly, but they are not a serious concern. Biting insects are rarely an issue and are primarily limited to the summer months.